Newbie--thanks and a couple of questions

[morezees]

Hi all,
-I've been lurking for a couple of weeks and want to thank everyone for all of the great info. I'm one of those people who thought the doc was off his gourd and was surprised when the sleep study results confirmed the dx, so reading posts here has helped me get up to speed quickly in this area that I hadn't given a thought to until a month ago.
-I've spent four nights at 7cm w/ my new Swift LT and and M-series Pro--it's been no more than annoying, which I gather puts me on the fortunate end of the scale. But, I am wondering about the results the machine is reporting. "Reverse-engineering" the averages shown in the LCD, I've had AHI's of 10, 2, 6, and 7 for the four nights. (The leak rate is steady at about 22--exactly what the LT manual says it should be.) I'm wondering if this variation is expected initially, and why the higher numbers are so high given the "mild-moderate" dx. I was hoping it would settle in to a low number and I could avoid purchasing Encore. . .
-Also, a quick tech question--any reason not to dry out the hose/mask by swapping in an extra (dry) humidifier chamber and running the machine for 10 minutes each morning (with the humidifier turned off, of course). My impression so far is that nothing but blasting air is going to dry things out and this seems the simplest/quickest way to provide dry air.
-Thanks!

[Bluebonnet_Gal]

I'm not familiar with your machine as my only experience has been with ResMed machines. However, it looks like it may not be an auto PAP. It's my guess that your pressure may need adjustment. Short of another sleep study, the best way to determine the proper pressure is through the use of an Auto CPAP. I think it might be an even BETTER way of determining the proper pressure because you're able to sleep at home, in your own bed. It's looking like I need a higher pressure than I was titrated for in my sleep study. My Doc wanted me to use an auto for at least a few weeks to determine that we have the right pressure. Not I'm on a Bi-level, auto adjusting machine and hoping I get to keep it!

Regarding the software, if you're not going to use it long term, I can understand you don't want to shell out the $ for it. But you might be able to get a good deal on a used set-up on cpapauction.com. You can also always sell it again when you get your therapy working just right and find that you're not using it. I personally want to be on top of things and it helps me to look at my numbers every morning, but that's a personal decision.

Do you have an appointment scheduled soon to check your data? If so, your doc or RT should see that you might need a higher pressure. You might ask them about an auto adjusting machine on at least a temporary (if not permanent) basis.

Good luck. Keep working on it and everything will eventually fall in place (at least that's what I'm hoping!)

[nomoore]

Your AHI may level out if you leave it another few nights. Your body needs time to adjust to the pressure. If you continue having trouble you may need an adjustment to your pressure. After a pressure adjustment you need to leave it at the new pressure for at least a week before making other adjustments.

[Wulfman]

Hi all,
-I've been lurking for a couple of weeks and want to thank everyone for all of the great info. I'm one of those people who thought the doc was off his gourd and was surprised when the sleep study results confirmed the dx, so reading posts here has helped me get up to speed quickly in this area that I hadn't given a thought to until a month ago.
-I've spent four nights at 7cm w/ my new Swift LT and and M-series Pro--it's been no more than annoying, which I gather puts me on the fortunate end of the scale. But, I am wondering about the results the machine is reporting. "Reverse-engineering" the averages shown in the LCD, I've had AHI's of 10, 2, 6, and 7 for the four nights. (The leak rate is steady at about 22--exactly what the LT manual says it should be.) I'm wondering if this variation is expected initially, and why the higher numbers are so high given the "mild-moderate" dx. I was hoping it would settle in to a low number and I could avoid purchasing Encore. . .
-Also, a quick tech question--any reason not to dry out the hose/mask by swapping in an extra (dry) humidifier chamber and running the machine for 10 minutes each morning (with the humidifier turned off, of course). My impression so far is that nothing but blasting air is going to dry things out and this seems the simplest/quickest way to provide dry air.
-Thanks!

Some things to consider:

Variations in reported numbers are not unusual......either in the beginning or later on in one's therapy.
Your pressure might be too low.
Too much humidity can affect (increase) nasal congestion and also raise the AHI numbers.
If you're not clearing out your nightly numbers each morning (after recording them) I'll post the instructions below ("averages" may not be very accurate).
The software is very much worth the investment to SEE what's going on and making up the numbers you're seeing.
If you're going to use that method to dry out your hose, you'd want to remove your card when you do it......although I've never understood the "need" to dry out a hose when it would probably evaporate out in a short time and when disconnected from the machine may introduce it to other "things" from the room air (which we breathe anyway).

Den

Edit: Oops.....thanks RG.....I forgot something.....



==========Resetting LCD Display Data====================

To reset LCD Therapy data (does NOT erase any data from SmartCard):

1. Hold down the (<-) (->) buttons while plugging in the power on the back,
wait for 2 beeps or 5 seconds, release buttons.
2. Press the (->) key and navigate to Therapy screen.
3. Press and HOLD down the (-) minus key for 5 seconds and/or until therapy data is reset to Zero.
4. Press the (->) key to scroll back to main menu, press (+) key to enter Setup or
On/Off button to exit.

[rested gal]

Instead of looking at averages on the LCD, you might want to reset the machine's data to 0 before each night, so you can see just the overnight data next morning.

How to reset the M series machine "weekly"/"monthly" details back to zero, in order to view just last night's results the next day:

viewtopic.php?p=239127#239127

viewtopic/t29141/Resetting-the-data-on-Respironics.html

[morezees]

If you're going to use that method to dry out your hose, you'd want to remove your card when you do it......although I've never understood the "need" to dry out a hose when it would probably evaporate out in a short time and when disconnected from the machine may introduce it to other "things" from the room air (which we breathe anyway).

The motivation was the several gallons of water that landed suddenly in my nose at 3am on the third night. Since this hadn't happened on the prior nights, I theorized that moisture was collecting over time, which seemed to be confirmed by looking more closely at the hose. But, perhaps swapping hoses is a better solution, come to think. . .

Thanks all for the info on resetting the display. That will be exceptionally useful until I scrape together the funds for the software.

[rested gal]

The motivation was the several gallons of water that landed suddenly in my nose at 3am on the third night.

Ahhh.. check out this link when you have some time (lott'a time..lots'a links! LOL!! )

LINKS to discussions about the Aussie heated hose - to prevent rainout
viewtopic.php?t=5305